Pharmacology

As a pharmacologist, you will be investigating the beneficial and harmful effects of medicines and other drugs so that they can be used safely and effectively.

What does a Pharmacologist do?

A pharmacologist conducts research on the interaction of drugs with biological systems and works on improving the effectiveness and safety of medicines. He/She also aims at seeking chemical compounds and substances that can be used to produce new and better medicines for the treatment of different physical and mental illnesses.

What does a typical day at work involve?

  • Checked Conduct experiments and clinical trials to improve understanding of a drug's activity
  • Checked Use technology and other sophisticated equipment to collect and analyse data
  • Checked Develop new products, processes, techniques and practices
  • Checked Prepare proposals for future developmental tests
  • Checked Organise tests to ensure quality control

What are the specialisations in pharmacology?

A clinical pharmacologist carries out studies on the effects of drugs on the human body.
Toxicologists study about the poisonous or harmful effects of drugs and other chemical substances that are commonly in used in the household and the industries.
Medicinal chemists are involved in the designing and synthesising of chemical compounds for use as drugs.
Neuropharmacologists focus on medicines or drugs related to neurological diseases.
They focus on drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and study the effect of these on the heart and circulatory system.
Endocrine pharmacologists study drugs that are used to regulate hormones.
Psychopharmacologists carry out research on drugs that are used for mental health care.

How to become a pharmacologist?

Step 1
Take Science Stream with physics, Chemistry and Biology/Maths/Biotechnology

Students seeking admission to pharmacology courses at the UG level need to choose Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics as principal subjects at the 10+2 level

Step 2
Take BPharm/Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences

As undergraduate programs exclusively for Pharmacology are not commonly available in India, it will be better to do a bachelors degree in pharmacy/biological Sciences before specialising at the PF level.


Note : BSc Pharmacology

BSc Pharmacology is not commonly available in india but many of the colleges abroad are providing the same.

Step 3
Take Master’s in Pharmacology

A person with a BSc Degree with at least one subject Biological Sciences, like BPharm, MBBS, BHMS or BPT from a recognized institution are eligible for admission to MSc Pharmacology. The duration of the program is usually 2 years.


Note :M Pharm Pharmacology

Pharmacology is available as one of the specialisations in MPharm.

Pharmacology Colleges

Name State District Type Website Course

Requirements for masters (MSc) in pharmacology

Requirements for admission into a PG course in one of the top institutions to help you get an overall picture

India (MPharm from Manipal institute of Pharmaceutical Science)

  • B Pharm from an institution recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India with minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
  • For general category (Indian natives), admissions are done on the basis of rank in the All India Manipal Entrance Test.
  • Foreign/NRI Category: Admissions are done on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination.

Foreign Institution (Molecular pharmacology from University of Glasgow)

  • 1st class or higher upper 2nd class BSc degree.
  • IELTS (Academic): overall score 6.5; no sub-test less than 6.0.
  • TOEFL iBT: 90; no sub-test less than: Reading- 20, Listening-19,Speaking-19, Writing-23

To see the entrance exams, scholarships and UG admission details, click here

Skills Required

Communication Skills

A pharmacologist should have good communication skills especially in writing reports and giving presentations.

Problem-solving skills

A pharmacologist must be able to find and employ creative solutions when carrying out experiments.

Interpersonal skills

A pharmacologist should show willingness to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Attention to detail

The ability to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task is a necessary skill as far as a pharmacologist is concerned.

Networking skills

A pharmacologist should have the ability to build effective links with external organisations.

Industries

  • Checked Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
  • Checked Education and Research

Top Companies

  • Checked Pfizer
  • Checked GlaxoSmithKline
  • Checked Johnson & Johnson
  • Checked Cipla
  • Checked Sun Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd

Resources to make use of

Useful links

Videos

What is pharmacology?
What is pharmacology? This video briefly explains the history and various aspects of the field.